• Russian bombardment continues in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas with Ukrainian forces repelling multiple attacks
“Russian forces' prior use of phosphorous munitions in the Donetsk Oblast raises the possibility of their future employment in Mariupol as fighting for the city intensifies,” the United Kingdom defense ministry said in a report.
The warning comes in the MoD's routine morning briefing as combat for the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol increases.
In the Donetsk and Luhansk areas, Russian bombardment has continued, with Ukrainian forces repelling multiple attacks that destroyed Russian tanks, vehicles, and artillery equipment, MoD said.
Meanwhile, Russia's continuous use of unguided bombs limits its capacity to “discriminate when targeting and conducting strikes while greatly increasing the risk of further civilian casualties,” the defense ministry tweeted.
According to Human Rights Watch, phosphorus bombs act similarly to incendiary weapons and can cause severe injuries.
White phosphorus burns human flesh because it ignites when it comes into contact with oxygen and is highly soluble in fat.
Picture Credits: France 24